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Canadian Red Cross volunteer Russell Barton is motivated by knowing his actions will positively affect people in the future. That’s one of the many reasons he is a dedicated disaster management volunteer with Red Cross in Saskatchewan.

We always encourage people to know the risks, make a plan and get a kit so they can be ready for any emergency.

While much of Atlantic Canada is digging out from what has been described as a weather bomb, or spring blizzard, we thought we’d check in to see how residents of the Atlantic provinces prepared and got through the storm.

With a couple earthquakes shaking up the west coast in the past few weeks, it's a good opportunity to review your family's preparedness level, especially for those living in British Columbia or other earthquake-prone regions.

Since protests began in November 2013, the Ukrainian Red Cross' emergency response teams have been providing first aid for those wounded on both sides. They assisted more than 660 people last week during the escalation of violence in Kiev. They are continuing to provide support to those who need it.

We’re barely into January and this winter season has already left us yearning for tropical getaways and the relatively balmy days of spring.
Terms like frost quakes and polar vortex are being tossed about in the media to explain what we’ve been experiencing. These phenomena are not new, but what exactly are they?

'Tis the season to stuff stockings and wrap carefully selected gifts for our friends and loved ones. But did you know that you could also give the gift of preparedness this holiday? Some Red Crossers have put together  their favourite gift ideas:

For the past two weeks, a number of Canadian Red Cross staff and three Canadian Red Cross delegates joined 54 participants from over 30 National Societies at the Americas Field School training in Pedro Santana, Dominican Republic. This field school training brings together regional responders in a mission like setting where participants interact with real people, assess community needs, and deliver services to communities.

The Round-up offers a weekly sample of what our sister Red Cross Societies are working on around the world.